Ascension : Creature Feature
Submitted by The Islander (Phillip Stevens) 31.03.2005 (Article Archived on 21.04.2005)

This Week – Rabbits (Or Bunnieus Easterus)

What are they?

Rabbits are part of the Lagomorph’s family, this means they are in the same family as Hares and Pikas, not rodents (that’s the same family as Rats!) as most people think.  A group of Rabbits is called a ‘herd’.  For wild rabbits, the coat is grey, with black, brown or red scattered throughout. The underside is light grey, and the bottom of the tail is white.  Domestic Rabbits have all sorts of different colours and fur lengths.

Where do they live?

They live in Warrens, this is a series of holes underground that interconnect.  They are found everywhere in the world except for Antarctica.

Rabbit Facts

In the wild a rabbit will live for about a year (because they get hunted) but in captivity a neutered rabbit can live for as long as 12 years.  Rabbits can be between 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) long.  They all descend from the European wild rabbits.  Baby rabbits (kits) are born blind.  A female rabbit is called a doe and will give birth to four to eight young.  The babies do not feed from the mother from six weeks old.  A doe can become a mother at six months old.  Between twelve and twenty adult rabbits live in a typical warren.  In big warrens there will be a male and a female ‘boss’, these are usually the strongest rabbits.  An Angora rabbit produces wool and can produce up to 340g a year!  (that’s nearly enough to make two jumpers!)

What do they eat?

Rabbits are herbivores (plant-eaters). They eat grass, leaves, bark, twigs, fungi, plants, roots and fruit.

Where can I learn more?

The internet, The Learning and Resource Centre and the Conservation Centre all have information.

Fact file –          

Jenny’s Challenge – Thank you for voting, Read about me playing skittles next week!